Golden Oldies

Veteran Brits Julie Christie and Daniel Day-Lewis took the top individual awards ahead of Atonement’s James McAvoy and Keira Knightley.

It was a great day for Britain as our stars walked away with a clutch of awards at the traditional Oscars curtain-raiser in Los Angeles.

The home cheer brought a little sunlight to the Globes after the ceremony was cancelled because of the Hollywood writers’ strike.

Second World War drama Atonement, based on 59-year-old Ian McEwan’s novel, gained the best picture award, as well as best score.

But its stars Keira, 22, and James, 28, missed out on individual glory for best actor and actress.

They were beaten by Christie, 66, as an Alzheimer’s sufferer in Away From Her, and Day-Lewis, 50, for There Will Be Blood.

Ricky Gervais, 46, won the best comedy award for Extras, while TV drama Longford, about Lord Longford’s friendship with moors murderer Myra Hindley, won three gongs, – for stars Jim Broadbent, 58, and Samantha Morton, 30, as well as best TV film award.

All the A-listers stayed away from the ceremony after refusing to cross the picket lines of the striking screenwriters.

There was only a small press conference instead.

McAvoy said he was “dead chuffed” but “completely surprised” at Atonement’s win.

He explained: “I wasn’t holding out hope for anything to be honest, it just didn’t seem to be going our way. There was a lot of shouting and screaming.”

The British team behind the flick celebrated in style – by jumping into a hotel pool on Sunset Boulevard.

Tim Bevan, one of the film’s producers said the win was a “victory for British cinema”.

But Tinseltown insiders couldn’t hide their disappointment at the lack of sparkle and ceremony.

It took US hosts just 35 minutes to read out the winners, and there were no gushing acceptance speeches after.

The Oscars, on February 24, could also fall victim to the writers’ dispute.

One veteran Holly-wood insider said: “It was great to see the British successes, but it was a shame there were no fashion faux pas and red carpets this year.

“Everyone loves to see the stars bursting out of too-tight dresses and the like. This can’t be allowed to happen at the Oscars too.”